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NEWS
Vipal Installs VR01 Smart DUO Buffer at NZ Retreader
shops in Europe.
“The cold retread market in Europe is very diverse, so I was ver y happy to take an entire month to really find out which knowledge and tools will benefit our partners best in future,” says Cox. Further visits to the Asia- Pacific region will complement the American’s findings. These will then make up a global concept – comprising technical advice, process optimisation and equipment support – to help ContiTread partners increase their productivity, profitability, and quality.
The 47-year-old Cox is a cold retread expert who joined Continental in July 2018. His appointment to the newly created position emphasises the
company’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with ContiTread cold retread shops. Cox has spent his entire career in the North American retreading industr y, with positions held in Technical Service, Account Management for IT products developed specifically for retread shops, and manufacturing. “With John, we have a high-profile expert joining the Technical Services Retread team. His broad experience and expertise will contribute to maximising the value of our offer to ContiTread partners and our ContiTread end- customers – in Europe and across the globe,” says Ralf Benack, Director of Retread Business Truck Tires in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Vipal Rubber has announced that Christchurch, New Zealand-based Tyre Retreaders Ltd has installed a VR01 Smart DUO buffer, the first company to install such a machine outside of Latin America. The VR01 Smart DUO has two positions and is capable of buffing up to 35 tyres per hour, as well as allowing loading, unloading and finishing to be performed simultaneously during the procedure, thus streamlining the whole retreading process. Representing Vipal, André Desconsi, Tiago Campanharo, Leandro Paim, Marcelo Cenci and Henry Pasqualotto traveled to Oceania to accompany and
celebrate this important moment for the Brazilian company. During the days they spent in New Zealand, they were able to meet and exchange knowledge with members of Power Retreads, an importer of Vipal products in the region.
According to Tyre Retreaders Ltd, key reasons for the acquisition of the new machine included the quality of the Vipal equipment combined with the associated services.
"The technical service was excellent both during the installation and afterwards," said Alan Neuman, one of the owners of the New Zealand retreader.
TRM Delivers First Fully Automated Finishing Cell
TRM has announced that it has just delivered the first full automated finishing cell for premium retreading material.
A full production cell is just been commissioned in its facility and ready to be moved to the US market. A bright yellow robotic arm from Fanuc, chosen as technological partner, handles the retreading
material through the production steps, removing the need for operator intervention, the role of which has now been elevated to a supervisory level with a view to delivering the best product quality to the market.
This cell is the first step for a whole review of TRM’s production concept for premium retreading.
Continental Further Enhances Support Services for ContiTread Partners in Europe
Continental is further enhancing its support services to strengthen its partnership with ContiTread cold retread shops. John Cox, Global Head of Technical Services Retread, is heading the further development of the ContiTread
support services landscape. To understand individual requirements, gain insight into regional distinctions, and uncover opportunities for improving partners’ operations, Cox visited numerous ContiTread partner
4 Retreading Business
Marangoni Tread North America Announces Plant Expansion
Marangoni Tread North America have announced plans for a plant expansion at their Tennessee tread manufacturing plant.
“With unit sales up this year,
production needs to be increased right away. Independent retreaders’ business remains strong, and we expect demand to continue to increase as we move